Jedi Insurgency 175

The steady drum of well groomed, black painted fingernails sounded against the stealth bomber's dashboard for the thousandth time. Seated within the cramped confines of the cockpit, Sev’rance Tann's perfectly composed face barely withheld a scowl. 

Over a week ago, the Force warned her that Revan would face grave danger. That to save him, she must go to Nar Shaddaa. In her rush to even the score, she only had one viable option. To fly inside of one of the recently acquired stealth bombers. A fleet would be noticed, and stopped. Even a single frigate would be too conspicuous. Interdictors were becoming increasingly common. One only needed to position these ships at the most well trafficked of hyperlanes, and let the insects fly into the web. 

Tann wasn't fool enough to risk her fleet, and had instead opted to rescue Revan quietly. This was, of course, because of what he had done for her on Coruscant during the prison break. There absolutely, 100% were no other alternate feelings involved. A Chiss like her paid back her debts. As far as she was concerned, they were rivals on the galactic stage. Twin stars of destruction that complemented each other well. Her in the Galactic North, him in the Galactic South. 

Whilst she didn't particularly like the man, she had to admit, he had a way with his words. 

‘And his hands.’ An intrusive thought surfaced as the many, many “Force Bond sessions” came to mind, before she crushed it. 

Suppressing a shudder, and clamping her legs tight, Tann furrowed her brow, and unconsciously re-combed her long black hair, even though she knew it was perfect. 

He had said so after all. 

Yes, she only worked with him to pay off her debts. The program he had introduced-while not groundbreaking-had transformed the B-1 Battledroids from bungling Gungans into soldiers that might make an Alderani officer proud. His shared information networks also helped her evade capture on more than one occasion, even now, those intel reports had seen her seize new ships with ease, and her forces were assaulting lightly defended worlds. 

His ever so smug countenance grated her gears to no end! Tann then imagined his taunting tone of voice, and calm, warm disposition. She then wanted to punch him, push him down, and- 

Taking a deep breath the recompose herself, the intense finger drumming on the dash continued. Yes, she was doing him a favor. Suffering in this cramped condition for a week was no way for an accomplished General of her caliber to spend her time. Revan would be thankful upon learning of her arrival. After all, they had much in common. 

Their common enemy, the Vong were a threat to all life in the universe! They both trained as Sith, and held the lives and deaths of millions in the palms of their hands. Lightsabers crossing over a battlefield, slaying the enemy together in a bout of passion. Tann could think of nothing more romantic than defeating their upcoming foe, with Revan groveling at her feet, kissing her boots. 

She might even let him, Tann mused with a villainous smirk. 

Or something more. 

“But first, the stinking swamp rat has to: Pick. Up. The. Call.” Tann grated to herself, and projected her dissatisfaction through their bond. 

Seconds later, the holoprojector hummed to life in the cockpit, casting pale blue light across her beautiful azure skin. Sev’rance Tann lifted her chin, and clasped her hands in front of her as if she were greeting a subordinate. Her reflection shimmered faintly in the glassy surface of the starfighter's hatch. Not a hair was out of place, her uniform was clean, and without ruffles. 

Her appearance was Immaculate. In control.

Then the hologram resolved into the tall, robed figure of Revan. He teased her by wearing a thin half-mask that covered only the upper half of his face, his smirk absolutely oozed smug confidence. The strong contours along his jawline, and handsome features unconsciously evoked desire. 

She couldn't wait to take him down a rung. 

Tann did not bother with pleasantries, and went straight to business. 

“Your little escapade on Naboo does not count. Let the record show, that this was not a planet seized by conquest.” She said flatly.

Revan’s projected image tilted his head a fraction of an inch, as though he was considering the statement with genuine curiosity. Then he slowly chuckled, the sound was irritatingly warm to her ears. 

Like a parent humoring a child. 

Tann pursed her lips, and stared him down, hoping he would refute her claim. 

“I suspect the resurrected Senator Padmé Amidala would disagree.”

The muscles in Tann’s jaw tightened. Of course she was aware of that woman. How dare he invoke her as a claim of conquest! 

Her mind replayed the occupation in ruthless detail, of his smooth words projected to the galaxy, the near solo destruction of a single Venator's infantry, his elegant flanking maneuvers, the way the locals had folded with infuriating grace. Unlike Eriadu, Naboo had been too clean. The victory was so symbolic, it was the only thing the news had spoken about for days! In a galaxy with quadrillions of sentients, and millions of occupied worlds, her victories had gone ignored, whilst Revan’s face was plastered everywhere alongside Padmé Amidala's. 

Naboo was a jewel world, yes, but one this so-called victory felt borrowed rather than taken. And now Revan had the audacity to frame it as a moral victory.

She allowed none of that fury to reach her voice, or show on her face. 

“Simply because the tabloids speak of you in such dangerous remarks, does not mean you are the man they say you are. Do be careful not to grow overconfident, Revan. Your growing lust for more shall be your undoing.” Tann chided, doing her best to project the wisdom, and confidence of a successful military officer. 

Revan’s smile lingered, through the Force. Tann hated that smile. She hated herself for the fact that she had once memorized it.

“Why, my dear Sev’rance, is that concern I hear?” Revan teased. 

“Hmph. Full of yourself as always, Revan.” Tann rolled her eyes. “The universe does not revolve around you. Get over yourself.” 

“Oh? But then, where did you ever find the time to read those tabloids, I wonder? Lucky for you, they haven't captured my image underneath my robes, otherwise, my popularity would surely soar~” 

Tann unconsciously recalled the heedy, metaphysical sensations conferred over their Force Bond. The firmness of his chest, the- 

Tann narrowed her eyes, and took control once more. 

“Do not mistake my investigation for anything else. To understand oneself, one must know their enemy.” Tann spoke like a scholar, quoting some ancient warlord. 

“I am the enemy, now? I wonder how you treat your friends.” Revan lazily leaned back into his couch, and yawned. 

Tann's express slightly cracked, and an eyebrow began to twitch. Whilst she had to sit in this uncomfortable, rigid seat for a week-using a special setup for waste, and eating dry rations-this, this scum was enjoying a five star experience! 

There was a brief silence between them, as Tann was lost in her own world. Revan, meanwhile, seemed to be busying himself with something. It wasn't until she heard the sound of a fork meeting a bowl that her neck jerked, and her chin snapped up. 

“Mn, don't mind me, please go on. Regale me with how I'm a fraud.” 

Tann took a deep breath, and told herself soon. The time to see his smug face broken down into one of loss would come soon. But now was not the time to strike, she still had a case to build. 

“I had an encounter recently. With one of your Jedi associates. Ahsoka Tano.”

“Ah. And you survived. Congratulations, my proud evil blueberry. I hope she wasn't too rough?”

“That lekku brained, spice-soaked showpiece? Please. She was hardly a challenge. She is competent, I’ll grant her that. Idealistic even. And, like so many of your…companions, remarkably beautiful.” Tann said, narrowing her eyes, and lowering her voice to a dangerous level. 

Of course, she wasn't lying to Revan at all. After all, her droids made the teen flee for her life. To a General, the overall victory went not to the one who won the battle, but the war! 

“My ‘friends’ seem to offend you in very specific ways.” Revan laughed in good cheer, his voice was rich with amusement. 

Tann’s fingers curled behind her back. “Should I be worried that my Padawan, Jax, will be on your radar next? He seems to have a penchant for rescuing princesses.” 

‘Keep yapping. The only princess who is going to be rescued, is you.’ Tann confidently thought to herself. Although a small dark pit inside of her was pleased that he had called her a princess. 

“How strange, that they all happen to share that particular trait. Are you, perhaps, jealous, General?”

“A man of mystery like you attracts all sorts of people. Entire Legions of men who all look the same fervently chant your name. Your students have gone on the record preaching your virtues. And little me has to carry the war on my back without so much as a ‘thank you.” Tann-somehow-raised her chin even higher, and looked down upon Revan as if she really were a princess. 

Revan looked as if he had been hit by a blaster bolt set to stun. His eyes were wide, and he was slackjawed in surprise. 

Tann hummed in delight, like the Loth-cat that had found its milk. Revan’s despair was simply delicious to lap upon. Now it was time to catch the mouse. 

“Jealousy, is an inefficient emotional response. This is merely an observation based on recurring data points. Your sweet little students admire their teacher oh so much. Your speeches have been analyzed again and again on GNN, and the experts have noted a pattern…and patterns invite scrutiny.” This time, it was Tann's turn to speak like the parent lecturing the child, and it felt good. Pretending to examine her perfectly cut nails, the ghost of a smirk touched upon her lips. 

Revan regarded her with a serious stare, all levity had left his expression. His total focus was on her. 

As it should be. 

“You are being watched. By allies and enemies alike. Any behavior that could be construed as…suspicious will not be tolerated.” She spoke in warning, alluding to both his upcoming mission, as well as other things. 

Revan dipped his head in thanks. 

“I’ll try to behave, then.” Revan said, eliciting a returned, pleased nod from Tann. 

“For your peace of mind.” He smirked. 

That scoundrel! 

Tann cut the transmission before he could say something else that might grind her gears. That infuriating, diabolical man! He had better take her warning seriously. 

…after several minutes spent-absolutely not-worrying about him, she allowed herself to exhale. Her breath was slow and controlled, as her reflection from the cockpit window's glass stared back at her accusingly.

She hated that he always won these exchanges. And she hated herself even more, that she wanted him to.

Taking a glance down at the chronometer, it read 1d, 2hr, 5min. 

“Just you wait, Revan. Almost six months have passed. You think those Force Bond sessions have been enough? And the gall to call me ‘evil blueberry!’ Hmph!” 

As Tann internally seethed, dozens of stealth bombers flew close to her in a tight formation. 

Their target: Nar Shaddaa!